In Australia’s open grasslands and scrub, male kangaroos often take part in dramatic fights known as “boxing.” These battles look almost playful from a distance, but up close, they reveal one of the kangaroo’s strongest advantages—its long, sharp toe claws. These claws are essential during fights, helping kangaroos defend themselves and establish dominance within their groups.
Kangaroos have a unique foot structure: a long fourth toe with a strong, curved claw, and a smaller pair of fused toes beside it. During a fight, males lean back on their muscular tails to free both feet for kicking. This tail support acts like a solid tripod, giving them balance and height. Once lifted, their powerful hind legs are able to deliver forceful forward kicks. The long fourth toe is the key part of this strike.
The kick is not a simple push—it is a rapid extension of the legs using some of the strongest leg muscles in the animal kingdom. When the foot makes contact, the curved claw helps concentrate the force onto a small area, making the kick more effective. These kicks can be strong enough to deter rivals, protect territory, or defend against predators like dingoes. Males rarely aim to injure each other seriously, but the sharp toe claws make every strike something competitors must respect.
Younger kangaroos observe older males and learn the timing needed to kick without losing balance. The posture, the tail support, and the use of claws together form a specialised fighting style that has evolved to match the kangaroo’s powerful build.